The first week of Lent was one of low attendance with different events/situations keeping families away. We only had 30. The weather which started out cold but sunny turned within 45 minutes to dark and forboding clouds with a blustery wind.
Catherine took the time to show how Lent looks and feels different from the Epiphany services. "First of all, things look a little different in here. We have entered the season of Lent, a season in which we focus on improving our relationship with God—during Lent we try to empty out the things in our lives that can distract us from our relationship with God. And to reflect that emptying, our worship space is simpler in this season. We will be using a pottery paten and chalice, instead of the silver ones. Dark candlesticks have replaced our brass candlesticks.
"Our red wooden cross is like those used in medieval England during this season, to remind people of Christ’s blood being shed for us. Instead of flowers behind the altar, we have these simple arrangements of pussy willow. The color for this season is purple, the color of royalty—and also the color of penitence and suffering.
"We will be worshipping with Rite I. The language is more formal, and the theology is more penitential. We will be singing the Kyrie at the beginning of the service, asking God to have mercy on us. The sequence hymn throughout Lent will be Bless the Lord, my Soul, a Taize chant. We will repeat the chant three times when we use it for the sequence hymn. Rite One offers one option for the Prayers of the People. Because of its formal style, we will not be singing “My Country Tis of Thee” during Lent. Of course we continue to pray for all people on our prayer list, including those serving in the military."
This Sunday, we also heard updates on new projects. The "murder mystey" for "Ladies Night Out" on March 9 took shape with a handout about the game. The next community dinner is the Sat before Easter and there was a request to buy plastic eggs to be used for that event which will be partnered with Caroline County Parks and Recreation.
The first week in Lent has the story of Jesus’ temptation. (Here are the readings). A historic emphasis in Lent is preparing candidates for baptism. Luke places the temptation soon after the baptism (Lk 3:21-22) as a reminder that baptisands need to be prepared for temptation. For all, one of the purposes of Lent is for the community to reflect on the depth of its discipleship and to identify points at which they could be more faithful. The temptation of Jesus is an excellent point from which to launch this aspect of Lent.
The first thing to note about this story is that it is to be understood as a TESTING rather than a temptation. The issue here is Jesus’ loyalty to God, not his moral perfection. The testing has been declared by the voice from Heaven – it is not something of Jesus’ own doing.
At the heart of the temptation is that God is not trustworthy. If you are the Son of God," the tempter begins. This pernicious "if" calls Jesus’ relationship to God into question and suggests that he could and should establish himself on his own terms. Jesus — in this sense truly the "second Adam" as Paul describes — resists the temptation to define himself apart from God and instead is content to know who he is in relation to whose he is.
Theologian David Lose brings up the link between this temptation and trust. " To the degree that we trust God for our daily needs, for a sense of purpose, for our identity as a child of God, the temptations of the world have, frankly, little appeal. But to the degree that we allow our natural insecurity to lead us to mistrust God, we are open to the possibility, appeal, and temptation of the proposition that it is all up to us, that God is not able to provide and so we’d better take matters into our own hands."
"Trust is at the heart of our relationship with God and with each other. It’s not always easy, and when it’s missing temptation is regularly just outside our door. For this very reason, I think, we need the support of the community to grow in our ability to trust and live out of a sense of abundance and courage rather than scarcity and fear. Notice that Jesus goes into the ilderness just after his baptism and while “filled with the Holy Spirit.” One of the ways we remember our baptismal identity and can be renewed by the Spirit is in fellowship with each other"
Temptation often comes when we use something in our world, such as a purchase to fill our emptiness. We become absorbed and block out the world. Like the period of Lent we have to refind who we are and in turn our relationship to God. And that identity is forged through our baptism
Jesus uses scripture to debunk the devil. He passes the test – not by his own words or deeds, which would be dishonourable – but by drawing from the words (Deuteronomy 6:13) of the One who has true dominion over the kingdoms of the world – God and from Deuteronomy 6:16. ("Once again Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. Do not put the Lord your God to the test as you did at Massah.")
Our life as Christians does not eliminate doubt, need, or a sense of incompleteness. Rather, we are oriented to our relationships with God and with each as those places where our needs are met, though not taken away. Further, as heirs of Adam and Eve, we will inevitably fall short in claiming our God-given identity. Yet Jesus has triumphed, not only at this moment but also and more importantly at the cross, committing himself and his destiny to God. Therefore, when we fall short we can confess our failings and trust that in and through the crucified and risen Jesus we have the promise of forgiveness and new life. Here is one resource:
A Brief Order of Confession & Absolution
Congregation: God in whom alone we find rest, we confess that we often turn from the gifts of identity, purpose, and meaning that you would give us.
- Instead of serving others, we serve ourselves.
- Instead of being motivated by love, we are motivated by fear.
- Instead of seeking wisdom, we seek possessions.
- Instead of working for peace, we work for security.
- Instead of seeking our good in you, we look to so many other places, trading your abundant and enduring love for the shiny things of this world
Draw us back to you, O God, and remind us that all that we have and need we find in relationship with you and with each other. This we pray in the name of Jesus, who came as one of us, tempted as we are, yet without forsaking trust in you.
Presider: In the name of Jesus, who suffered temptation and prevailed, who was crucified on the cross and raised on the third day, hear the word of the Gospel: you are a beloved child of God, forgiven, redeemed, renewed, and called to lives of wholeness and life. Therefore depart this place in peace to serve your neighbor in love.
All: Thanks be to God. Amen.